A DRIVER who lost control and killed a popular teenager as she walked home has been sent to a young offender's institute for eight years.

A DRIVER who lost control and killed a popular teenager as she walked home has been sent to a young offender's institute for eight years.

Ryan Ellmore admitted causing the death of 17-year-old Charlotte Blackburn in an horrific road accident in Dovercourt last May.

The 20-year-old of Devon Way, Dovercourt was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court this afternoon.

Charlotte had been walking home after enjoying a night out with friends.

The teenager was pronounced dead in hospital shortly after the crash which happened in Main Road just after 1am on May 25.

After the collision, which also injured an 18-year-old man, Ellmore's car careered across the road and smashed into a house, causing serious damage.

The electrical engineer admitted the charge of causing death by dangerous driving when he appeared at court last month.

After the tragedy Charlotte was described as “the life and soul” by her heartbroken family.